How to choose a small dishwasher: 5 key questions

Compact dishwashers can be a small but mighty kitchen appliance. Before you purchase your dishwasher, consider where the dishwasher may fit, how much capacity you’ll need and what type of dishwasher may work best for your space.

Keep reading to learn more about what to consider when buying a small dishwasher for your home.

Sign Up for More Insights to Stay Connected

Enjoy articles like this? Get helpful guides and appliance care tips sent straight to your inbox.

*This field is required.

Please enter a valid email address.

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Notice.*

*This field is required.

Please fill out all required fields before submitting

What is a small dishwasher?

Compact dishwasher dimensions are typically slimmer than the width of standard dishwashers, which are around 24 inches. These appliances are designed for apartments and kitchens limited on space. A typical small dishwasher may fit up to eight place settings, although capacity may vary among models.

Small dishwasher sizes

Small dishwashers are typically slimmer than the standard 24-inch width of a standard size dishwasher. Therefore, any dishwasher slimmer than 24 inches may be considered small. A typical small dishwasher size is often about 18 inches wide, 24 inches deep and 35 inches high.

What to consider when buying a small dishwasher

When buying a small dishwasher, you’ll want to consider dishwasher capacity, size, type, features and overall household fit. Keep reading for the questions you can ask yourself to help find a dishwasher that works well for your available space, kitchen setup, daily routine and individual needs.

1. How much space do you have?

If you want to buy a small built-in dishwasher, consider the space you have available and whether you’re working with an existing cutout or will need to create a new one. If you need a new dishwasher cutout, you may want to reach out to a contractor to help you create the space you need. Measure the depth, width and height of the dishwasher cutout and be sure to leave at least 27 inches of space open in front of the dishwasher for easy loading and unloading.

Dishwasher dimensions are determined by the opening size they’re made for, rather than by the measurements of the dishwasher itself. Keeping that in mind, measure the distance between your cabinets to determine the width. Measure first near the top of the opening and again near the bottom. If the numbers differ, take the lower number of the two.

Then, measure between the lowest point of your countertops and the floor. Take two measurements in case any sloping occurs: one from the back and another from the front. This will give you the dishwasher height.

Finally, measure from the back of the dishwasher cutout to the front edge of your cabinets. Measure along the sides of each cabinet to account for any variations between them. You’ll also want to consider the length of the dishwasher door to ensure that you can fully open your door and slide out the racks while moving around your kitchen. This typically requires a minimum of 27 inches for door clearance.

2. How much capacity do you need?

Generally, a dishwasher that holds six to nine place settings may be sufficient for one or two people, while a dishwasher with capacity for nine to 12 place settings may be ideal for three to four people. Families of five or more may need a dishwasher that can hold 12+ place settings.

Most small capacity and portable dishwashers can hold up to eight place settings, while standard-sized dishwashers can usually handle 10-12 place settings. How you load your dishwasher may also affect capacity—proper loading can help boost cleaning performance and fit more dishes.

3. What type of small dishwasher fits your space?

There are three main types of small dishwashers: built-in, portable and countertop. Read the chart below to see which small dishwasher may work best for your space.

Type	Installation and storage	Water connection	Capacity	Ideal for
Built-in	Permanently installed under the kitchen counter	Requires dedicated plumbing and electrical lines	Compact sizes generally hold around eight place settings	Home or apartment owners or long-term renters who have an existing 18-inch cutout
Portable	Can be rolled into the kitchen when needed	Connects directly to your kitchen faucet via an adapter	Generally hold about eight place settings	Apartments that lack a built-in dishwasher cutout
Countertop	No permanent installation; sits on countertop	Drains into the sink	Typically four to six place settings	Ideal for studio apartments or individuals with small daily dish loads

4. Which features matter most?

There are a number of features that may be helpful in small dishwashers, such as a quick wash cycle, which can clean up a load of lightly soiled dishes in a hurry. Powered drying cycles may also allow for quick drying. This portable Whirlpool^® Dishwasher features a 1-Hour Wash Cycle as well as a Heated Dry Option, so you can use a clean, dry dish straight from the dishwasher thanks to added heat for drying.

Some dishwashers may also come with adjustable racks or parts, such as this compact dishwasher by Whirlpool brand which features flexible capacity with a movable silverware basket, adjustable rack, adjustable cup shelf and adjustable tines¹.

5. Is a small dishwasher worth it?

A small dishwasher may be worth it if you live in a household of one to two people. Or, if you have a small kitchen and not as much space for a standard-sized dishwasher. Small dishwashers bring the same cleaning performance as standard-sized dishwashers, just in a smaller capacity.

Portable dishwashers may be another good option for those lacking the space for a dishwasher cutout and who want the flexibility that a portable dishwasher brings. Rolled into your space when you need it and stored away when you don’t, these appliances offer the convenience of a stand-alone appliance without sacrificing functionality.

Luckily, you don’t have to choose between functionality and portability. Select portable dishwashers from Whirlpool brand feature a 1-Hour Wash Cycle, Soil Sensor, Heated Dry Option, Heavy Cycle and more to help you get the right clean for your dishes.

Explore Whirlpool^® Small Dishwashers

Small dishwasher FAQs

Get answers to commonly asked questions about small dishwasher sizes, including installation, usage and more.

Portable dishwashers use a faucet adaptor to connect to the kitchen sink. These appliances use a hose connector that attaches to your faucet adaptor. One hose provides the hot, clean water while the other pumps dirty, used water into your kitchen sink.

Yes, small dishwashers typically use the same filtration and heating elements as a full-sized dishwasher. However, standard dishwashers generally have a larger capacity and often offer specialized features not typically found on compact models.

A standard dishwasher is usually 24 inches wide, which is about 6 inches wider than an 18-inch compact model. So you may want to contact a professional installer to see what they would recommend to make adjustments for a smaller unit in a standard opening. You may also want to save the wood runners from your dishwasher’s packaging to use as shims for a proper fit in a wider cabinet.

Most small dishwashers use the same filtration and heating elements as standard size dishwashers, so you should be able to use the same dishwasher detergent in both. You may need to use a smaller amount of detergent, so check your product guide for specific instructions.

It depends on how many dishes you plan on using. An 18-inch dishwasher will generally fit up to eight place settings, although some models may vary. One place setting refers to a large and small plate, a bowl, a coffee cup and saucer, a glass and utensils.

Compared to the 10 to 12 place settings a standard-sized dishwasher can hold, an 18-inch dishwasher is certainly smaller in capacity. However, if you do not require as much dishwashing and are low on kitchen space, an 18-inch dishwasher may work well for you.

Standard ENERGY STAR^® certified dishwashers will use about three to five gallons of water per cycle, while compact ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers will use about 2.7 gallons per cycle. Keep in mind that you may also have to run more cycles to accommodate for the smaller capacity.

Shop Whirlpool^® Portable Dishwashers